STONES painted with messages of hope have been promoting a sense of togetherness in Clackmannan during the Covid–19 crisis.

During the summer months of the lockdown, residents young and old have been brought closer together in spirit through the heart-warming initiative.

People of all ages have been decorating rocks, often with nice messages, assembling them into what has been dubbed Clackmannan's Caring and Connected Caterpillar.

Clackmannan Development Trust has been encouraging people to take part, setting up a painting station outside its nearby base to make sure everyone can join in.

Lesley Shaw, development manager at the trust, said: “It was really just something to unify the community and share a bit of hope at a really difficult time.

“It's been really good, we've had passers-by just stop to admire them as well.”

Following many weeks, there are now around 250 stones, arranged in a spiral formation around the Mercat Cross.

There is a wide variety of designs to see, with children as young as three and people as old as 80 all having contributed.

Lesley added: “We've had little tots, two-three years old, who [painted] and we've had people in their 80s that have taken part which has been really nice – it's been a really good intergenerational project.”

There are hopes to create a more permanent fixture using the stones in the future as well. However, this is not likely to be on the steps of the Mercat Cross but somewhere nearby.

The stones tied-in with the town's Caring and Connected Clackmannan project which sought to support residents throughout the lockdown.

It has been a partnership project between the trust, the community council, the primary school, the church, the health centre, the community police team and more.

The project has recently launched a survey to gauge how lockdown has impacted people's lives and to see what support they will require going forward.

Anyone wishing to have their say can visit bit.ly/3avbQw5 to complete the survey.